THE HYDRO NATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME 2023 – OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

The Hydro Nation Scholars Programme is part of the Scottish Government’s Hydro Nation strategy. The objective of the strategy is to develop the economic, environmental, and social value of Scotland’s water resources. The Hydro Nation Scholars play an important role in supporting this by:

• generating understanding of how and where best to develop the value of Scotland’s water resources;
• focusing on enhancing Scottish capacity in areas of existing research excellence; and,
• providing new research and insights where there are gaps related to water resources in Scotland.

Projects with international elements will be expected to recognise and reflect in their design the key territories set out in the Scottish Government’s International Development Framework, and of those Malawi in particular. Projects in other territories can be considered, but priority will be given to projects which can demonstrate a clear understanding of recent or current Hydro Nation international activity.

The Programme and the associated graduate school are managed on behalf of the Scottish Government by the Hydro Nation International Centre at the James Hutton Institute and steered by an Executive Group (HNSPEG) drawing on Scotland’s water policy, industry, and academic network.

THE PROGRAMME

The Hydro Nation Scholars Programme is an open competition for project topics and then for PhD Scholars to undertake approved projects, hosted within Scottish Universities and Research Institutes.

Full funding is available from the Scottish Government (to host institutions via the Scottish Funding Council) for up to 7 PhD scholarships. Both overseas and domestic students are eligible to apply. Domestic and overseas scholars are defined according to a Scholar’s status for University admissions. The funding available will be in line with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) doctoral stipend levels and indicative fees:

• National Minimum Doctoral Stipend for 2022/23 is £17,668
• Research Councils UK Indicative Fee Level for Domestic Students 2022/23 is £4,596
• International fees will be awarded at the UK research organisation rate.

Scholars will be funded for 4 years and all fees and stipend will be covered. 

Scholars will benefit from specialised programmes provided under the auspices of the Hydro Nation Graduate School.

APPLICATIONS

The following projects are now available for applications:

• Soft-water leaching: developing best-practice for low-carbon concrete for water supply infrastructure – Dr Thomas Dyer, University of Dundee; Dr Michael McCarthy, University of Dundee; Dr Moray Newlands, University of Dundee
• Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Scottish effluent waters: Catchment scale assessment of sources, distribution, and risks – Dr Kyari Yates, Robert Gordon University; Dr Zulin Zhang, The James Hutton Institute
• Microplastics – investigating microplastic fate and transport in Scotland’s waters –  Dr Helen Bridle, Heriot Watt University; Dr Eulyn Pagaling, The James Hutton Institute; Dr Lisa Avery, The James Hutton Institute
• Global Shocks and Disruptions to Scotland’s Surface Waters – a systems-based scenario analysis of emerging pressures – Prof Mathew Williams, University of Edinburgh; Prof Roxane Andersen, University of Highlands and Islands; Dr Luke Smallman, University of Edinburgh
• One Health Prescribing – New Analytical Methods to Inform Formulary Changes to Chiral Pharmaceuticals for Environmentally Friendlier Medicines – Dr Bruce Petrie, Robert Gordon University; Dr Gemma Barron, Robert Gordon University; Prof Sharon Pfleger, NHS Highland and Robert Gordon University
• Sewage-sludge biochar for nutrient recovery: A circular and low carbon solution for wastewater treatment – Dr Szabolcs Pap, UHI North Highland; Dr Mark Taggart, UHI North Highland; Prof Stuart Gibb, UHI North Highland; Tamsn Kennedy, Scottish Water
• Stress-testing of Scotland’s Multifunctional Water Resources Against Changing Systemic Risks – Prof John Rowan, University of Dundee; Dr Iain Brown, University of Dundee
• A digital solution for real-time prediction and management of road runoff microplastic pollutant load – Dr James Minto, University of Strathclyde; Prof Vernon Phoenix, University of Strathclyde
• The role of groundwater in adapting to climate change and increasing resilience to drought in Eastern Scotland – Dr Jean-Christophe Comte, University of Aberdeen; Dr Alan MacDonald, British Geological Survey; Prof Chris Soulsby, University of Aberdeen; Dr Rachel Helliwell, The James Hutton Institute
• Scalable photocatalysts for sustainable hydrogen production from wastewater – Dr Sebastian Sprick, University of Strathclyde; Dr Efthalia Chatzisymeon, University of Edinburgh; Dr Christine Davidson, University of Strathclyde
• Hydro-Nation Scotland’s resilience– investigating systemic impacts of land-use decisions on water resources – Dr Alexandra Morel, University of Dundee; Dr Sarah Halliday, University of Dundee; Dr Miriam Glendell, The James Hutton Institute; Dr Matt Hare, The James Hutton Institute
• Smouldering solutions for resource recovery from wastewater streams – Dr Christine Switzer, University of Strathclyde; Dr Zulin Zhang, The James Hutton Institute; Dr Jannik Giesekam, University of Strathclyde; Dr Tarek Rashwan, Open University
• Valorising activated sludge biomass waste via low-temperature processing towards a circular economy – Dr Ania Escudero, Glasgow Caledonian University; Dr Amy Pickard, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Prof Ashleigh Fletcher, University of Strathclyde; Prof Gabriela Medero, Heriot Watt University
• Eliminating pharmaceuticals from contaminated waters via novel bioremediation approaches – Dr Aakash Welgamage Don, Robert Gordon University; Dr Kyari Yates, Robert Gordon University; Prof Paul Kong Thoo Lin, Robert Gordon University
• Water supply network integrated energy recovery to replace energy wasting pressure regulation valves for improving operational efficiency and reducing operational carbon emissions – Mr Cameron Johnstone, University of Strathclyde; Dr Stephanie Ordóñez, University of Strathclyde

 

NOTES FOR APPLICANTS

• To view the full project adverts and to apply for any of above projects, please visit FindAPhD.com or click on the link.
• The projects will be advertised from Wednesday 16^th November 2022 to Friday 6^th January 2023. 
• Applicants are strongly advised to make an informal enquiry about the PhD to the primary supervisor well before the final submission deadline. The contact details of the primary supervisor are in the project adverts.

 

• Applicants must send a completed application form (available below), their Curriculum Vitae and a covering letter to the primary supervisor by the final submission deadline of 6^th January 2023.

 

• Eligibility: Applicants should have a first-class honours degree in a relevant subject or a 2.1 honours degree plus Masters (or equivalent).
• Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on 26th or 27th January 2023.
• Although approved for advertisement, this does not mean that the project has been successful in securing the funding from the Scottish Government.
• PhD candidates for approved advertised projects will be interviewed with recommendations made to the Scottish Government, who will take the final decision on the award of Scholarships.

 

Summary timetable for recruitment for 2022

Advertisement of Approved Projects	16th November 2022
Deadline for Scholar Applications	6th January 2023
PhD Scholar Interviews	26th and 27th January 2023
Final Decisions on PhD Scholars	Late February 2023

 

The HNSP Scholar Application form for the 2023 call can be downloaded here.